We read in an article in Organic Gardening about coriander (cilantro) that there is an alternative to coriander named culantro or Mexican coriander (Eryngium foetidum). In Pakistan we have long hot summers with the temperature reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius and the humidity up to 100%. We want to carry out trials for culantro as we cannot grow coriander in the summer time. Is it possible to supply us with 10 kg of culantro seed by air to Lahore Airport or by sea to the port of Karachi.

I would like to know the cultural practices used to grow culantro and what is the seed rate per acre.

Please check our online catalogue at http://www.richters.com the current prices per kilogram for this herb. The airmail charge is an additional $15 in Canadian dollars per kilogram.

You asked about the sowing rate of this herb. The seeds are much smaller than regular coriander. There are 2800 seeds per gram, in contrast to the 100 seeds per gram in the case of the regular coriander. If you grow the seedlings in a protected area such as a greenhouse, you will need about 400 grams per acre of field. Direct seeding will require about 1 kilogram per acre if plants are spaced 15 to 30 by 30 centimeters.